The air became beautifully calm.
The night glided in smooth as silk.
There we were alone together.
Wordku: 5-7-5 words
AP: 1st place 2026
Thankful for the rhythmic pulse of energy
AP: Honorable Mention 2026
If peace is the Lord
Breathe Judean air!
A wanderer, who's emptied
Himself of each care.
If feeling at one
With all The Christ is
Its high places, Israel's
Stand up on. Strange bliss!
Out beyond each coast day, night
When leaning o'er thus:
This, my nation's, this, my world's -
Shaking pitious.
at one with nature
the sun sets on the weary ~
reward for hard work
it doesn't take much
to embrace
to smile softly
to send a message
to let me know you're still there
it doesn't take anything
to stay with me
on a night when the world is screaming and i cant silence the noise
to shield me
on a morning when the weight of existence is crushing my shoulders
to whisper to me
on an evening when tendrils of youth long lost cling to me
like a child to its mother
it takes everything in me to not reach out
to hold you
and yet it takes everything in you to look at me
with eyes not clouded by that of the past.
Here come old grandpa
He come movin' up slowly
He got, big-a-belly
He got, roley-poley
He got, hair...on his ears
He got to be a grandpa he lived so many years
He drink- no more, moonshine
He got, gout toeitus
He got, monkey back
He shoot, insulin
He say, I don't... remember you
One thing he should know is that he's one hundred and two
He lacks production
He got, two sets of dentures
He got, always sidetrack
He got, soup and crackers
He got, gout, down...on his feet
Sitting in his wheelchair he's got old-age disease
Does he remember, right now- he's one hundred and two
He can't use a toaster
He got, cold- needs a warming
He got, dementia
He lost, mojo filter
He say, one and one and one is four
Got to be dementia 'cause he can't add anymore
Does he remember, right now, he's one hundred and two
Stopping at One
When You’re coming undone
Will leave you with Strategies
That you think Are So Fun
Stopping at Two
When It’s All About You
Might Last For the Morning
But It’s Really Nothing New
Stopping At Three
Be It a Thorn or a Tree
Will Get you To A Freedom
That You Didn’t Know Could Be
Stopping At Two
That’s The Lot of a Few
If You Measure the Next Step
It’s a Chance That You Blew
Stopping At One
You Are Left With A sum
It’s Just A False Fraction
Of What You Could Become
Stopping At Three
Where You were Really Meant To Be
Might Bring Real Relief
That You Were Really Meant To See
Stopping At Two
You Still Won’t find A clue
But a Difference is Waiting
That Could Make You So New
Stopping At Three
With Wings you Will See
There are Chances with Fortunes
Of Something You Really Can Be
Stopping At Three
Just What You Need to Be Free
With A Grace All Sufficient
That’s Never Found with a “ME”
Speech , " You are married today , our daughter!
We are here witnessing your wedding.
Listen ! Our daughter listening !
Today is your wedding day ,our daughter.
Relatives , neighbours, friends ,
Colleagues are gathering here today."
Bantu drums sounding ,stump, stump !stump!
Flute is swain!swain!swain!swain!swain!
Guitar is lalela! lalela lalela! lalela ! lalela!
All people are happily , jumping dancing today.
Different dance moves: tango, rhumba,salsa,
Jazz, zuki, reggae, nyonga , and chachacha.
Last speech " You have now a new family
Husband, father ,mother, brothers,
Sisters in laws, learn to respect them.
No turning back here our sister.
Respect your husband as your new father."
May 21/2023
By Alfonso Warally Ngengethe
Mussabwa Chris
The days the owls rioted, I ran to my warm bed.
I got inside my quilts and I covered my head.
With their talons and beaks, they elected king Fred.
I dared not say a word, but my face was pure red.
They plotted and schemed, these fowls so smart.
I heard one of them coughing, his name is Blue Art.
We have to act now, but first, we’ll all have a Sweet Tart.
How could they stop at one? I asked Feathered Bart.
He gave me a glare and pecked hard at my feet.
Stay under those covers, or your fate won’t be sweet.
I did not dare make another noise, answer phone or send a tweet.
I knew then that I was surely about to be beat.
O occasionally human BE-ings get more than
N nature's gifts, even our thinking skills
E everyone melts into one: UsOne Presence
At one time or another,
We can all make peace with who we are,
In connection with our Father,
And our Elder Brother,
Tying us together in the softest bond.
At one time or another,
We find ourselves in love,
With an earthly sister or brother,
With whom we can share forever,
And never be the same together.
At one time or another,
Our lives take on a whole new purpose,
As we begin living for others,
Brought into our family through birth.
They are excited and ready for the world.
At one time or another,
We begin to feel the weight of age,
Creeping in ever so slowly,
Like the foamy edge of a wave,
Leaving wrinkles in the sand so gently.
At one time or another,
We are left to begin again,
In a sweet reunion,
Leaving loved ones behind,
To greet familiar ones on the other side.
At one time or another,
We are all at one again,
Back with our Father and Elder Brother,
To behold our precious Heavenly Mother,
And have an ultimate reunion, which lasts forever.
Sunday roast
A meal I loved
for some time not partaken
When Ma was here
Well ~ oh my dear
Served on the dot at one o’clock
And woe betide if we were late
it would be on the table
upon our plate
and steaming hot
Whether we were there or not
Nowadays it’s just for one
Has somehow lost appeal
To sit alone now on my own
I really don’t enjoy
Those crispy roasted spuds
with golden Yorkshire puds
buttered carrots ~ roasted parsnips
on my plate roast leg of lamb
a generous dollop of minty sauce
with thick meaty gravy piping hot
Three cheers for the cook
Three cheers for the host
I can almost taste it ~ I can almost smell it
Ma always cooked the best Sunday roast
Now my grandson is a vegan
his girlfriend she is too
my granddaughter a veggie
oh what am I to do
I cannot beat them
so I will join them
nut roast now my Sunday roast
but I'm still yearning for the taste
of Ma’s on the dot at one o'clock
her Sunday roasts delectable
each mouthful unforgettable...
Written 4 July 2021
Contest A BRIAN STRAND JULY 4
Sponsor Brian Strand
FIRST PLACE
I stood alone upon a hill
whilst all around was quiet and still
I watched as birds flew from tree to tree
and envied how they are so free
I sat alone to ponder life
imagined me as some man's wife
as branches played in a gentle breeze
and envied the freedom of the trees
I lay alone on a bed of fallen leaves
taking shade under the canopies
hearing creatures scurry here and there
and envied their life so free of care
I wandered home alone in a daze
enjoying the last of summer's rays
I watched as day turned into night
and envied the owl her evening flight.
At One of My Poems Be Peeking
What we should do is to start seeking,
Someone who was singing and speaking,
While on hike,
Song we like,
While at some of my poems were peeking.
Jim Horn
Being at One With Sea Nature
Soaking Up Breeze, Sun, Feeling Stunned,
Eyeing Frolicking Seals, Herons, To Join In Their Fun,
Water Strolling, Shell Finding on Wavy Beach & Ocean.
Blistering Skin, Wind in Hair, Sandy Feet,
Soaking Tee-Shirt, Body to Beat the Heat,
Sharing Surf Picnic Ala Friends Exquisitely Neat.
Sailing & Exploring Where You're Blown,
Kinship With Creation, Saluting Nature's Own,
Too Seldom Acknowledge Likewise We're Sown!
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